Brake lever assembly



c. R. DUNCAN 7 2,669,883

BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 31, 1951 2 Sheets-*Shaatl INVENTOR @MLXKOM i A Z- 1954 c. R. DUNCAN BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed Jan. 31, 1951 Patented Feb. 23, 1954 BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY Charles R. Duncan, American Forging Detroit, Mich., assignor to & Socket Company, Pontiac,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 31, 1951, Serial No. 208,762

This invention relates to improvements in brake lever assemblies of the straight-pull type. The primary object of the invention being to simplify the manufacture and assembling of component parts thereof, while at the same time rendering such parts readily susceptible of being assembled with or mounted on the component parts with which they are associated, in different positions, whereby the brake assemblies are rendered more versatile in adaptability to different situations.

An important object of the invention is to provide a one-piece frame, which can be a stamping, to serve as a guide for the pull rod and as a support for the pull rod and for a double pawl arrangement, and wherein the pawls can be located or selectively positioned above, below, or at either side of the pull rod.

Another object of the invention is to provide a one-piece stamped pawl which is embossed to form holding means.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a one-piece frame and a double pawl arrangement wherein the pivoted centers of the pawls can be easily located relative to the pull rod to increase or decrease tooth interference with respect to the ratchet teeth of the pull rod, and wherein a simplified mounting for the pawl springs is provided.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a simplified form and arrangement of the bracket which pivotally connects the pull rod with the brake lever, wherein only one assembling rivet is required and wherein such rivet serves also as a rotation stop for the pull rod when rotated by the torque spring or by hand.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, merely for purposes of illustration, specific embodiments of the invention are shown in detail.

In the drawings, wherein the numerals designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a, brake assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation, with internal structure shown in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front end elevation of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of an a ternative form of rotation stop.

1 Claim. (C1. 74-503) Figure '6 is a rear end elevation of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 1'l through Figure 3; and

Figure 8 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 8-8 through Figure 7.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the illustrated brake assembly comprises the straight round pull rod 10 having a handle ll telescoped on its rear end and secured by a key I2, the forward end of the handle providing a stop shoulder I 3 limiting forward movement of the pull-rod Ill. A smooth unindented rear end portion It is provided on the rod I0 and a toothed portion having forwardly facing ratchet teeth l5 extends forwardly from the smooth portion 14 for the required distance. At a point adjacent to but spaced from its forward end I 6 the rod I0 has an annular stop collar I! or alternately a radial stop lug or piece H, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, respectively, for engagement with the rear end of the connector bracket l8 which connects the forward end of the pull rod ID with the lower end of the brake lever I9. The form and mounting of the lever 19 can vary but is here shown as involving a stationary mounting plate or bracket 20 having a guide or holder 2| at its lower end for the brake cable or rod 22 and a pivot 23 near its upper end on which the upper end of the lever 19 is pivoted, with the clevis 24 of the brake cable pivoted to the lever l9 below this point. The lower forwardly declining portion 25 of the lever I 9 terminates in a fiat lower end 26 which is traversed by a pivot pin '21 by means of which the lever I9 is connected to the connector bracket l8.

The connector bracket I8, which constitutes an important aspect of the present invention, consists of a single piece of sheet metal, which can be a stamping, formed to provide forward and rearward, axially aligned substantially cylindrical portions 28 and 29, respectively, which serve as journals for the smooth forward end portion 30 of the pull rod Ill extending between the stop I! or IT and its forward end l6. As best shown in Figures 2 and 4, the journal portions 28 and 29 are spaced and connected by a pair of flat, wing or flange portions 3| which extend radially from the journal portions 28 and 29, are longitudinally elongated, and are in parallel spaced relation at a distance to closely receive therebetween the flat lower end 26 of the brake lever l9, with the pivot pin 21 traversing the wings at a point adjacent to their forward ends.

The laterally inward edges of the wins portions 3! are cut away between the journal portions 28 and 29, as indicated at 32, to provide ample clearance with the rod portion 3i and the helical torque spring 33 which is circumposed on the rod portion 30 and compressed by and between the facing ends of the journal portions 28 and 29. Opposite ends of the torque spring 33 respectively engage the connector bracket [8 and rod to bias pull rod H! for rotation on its axis in one direction. Preferably the spring 33 is provided with arms on its opposite ends, one of which engages the connector bracket and the other engages the stop lug or pin 55 which projects radially from the pull rod l0.

As shown in Figure 2, the journal portion 29 of the connector bracket 18 is longer than the other journal portion, and is formed in its forward end with a notch or forwardly opening, circumferentially extending slot 34 serving as a guide for the rotation stop lug or pin 35 which projects radially from the rod portion 36 at this point. Ilhe opposite ends 36 and 3i of the slot M act as stops for engagement by the lug 35 and limit rotation of the pull rod to in opposite directions. It will be observed that the presence of the stop collar ill at the rearward end of the bracket lfl maintains the rotation stop pin or lug 3.5 in .place in the slot 3 2, and, that this arrangement serves additionally to keep the bracket [8 in place on the pull rod without additional means being required. It will also be noted that the pivot .pin 2'! which is riveted at its ends against the outer sides of the wings 3! is the only means required to assemble the bracket 18 together and at the same time serves to vpivotally connect the bracket 1'18 to the brake lever 69.

The pull rod to is operatively supported at its rearward end by the bracket 4t which constitutes a combined guide for the pull rod and a frame for the ratchet pawls, and in conjunction with a mounting bracket, serves as a support for the pull rod 21.0. .As shown particularly well in Fig ures fl and 8, there :is associated with the bracket 40 a combined cover and bracket component A! comprising a vertical rear wall 12 having a rounded lower end, and .a forwardly projecting peripheral flange 15.3 which extends around the edgesof the wall A2. 'The upper, horizontal .part All :of 'thevflange s3 is formed with .a slot Ali which opens through its forward edge. The rear wall 42 is :formed with a central opening st slidably accommodating the rear smooth portion M of the rod 1.0. The metal of wall 42 around the hole 415 is rearwardly ,offset, as indicated .at $1, to providezazstop for the forward end l3 of the handle I I, and to provide an annular seat in the forward side of .the wall '42., for a purpose hereinafter described.

The cover i! is ,pivotally supported upon a mounting .arm 69 adapted to be secured by bolts (not shown) to the lower flange on a conventional instrument panel (not shown), and the combined ratchet support frame and rod guide 40 :is also pivotally and supportably connected to the bracket arm d9 by the same pivot pin 56 whereby the rear end portion of the rod it is effectively supported to swing beneath an instrument panel.

The mounting arm 49 is preferably a flat, .onepie'ce-stamping involving a relatively wide, transversely elongated forward part reach-ing beyond opposite sides of :the cover M (Figu 6) and provided mear sits lateral extremities with bolt holes 52 .:for accommodating attaching bolts (not shown-l. aOn'the rearward edgejof the ,part

5| is formed the rearwardly declining part 53 which is narrower than the cover and loosely fits in the slot 45 in the upper flange portion 44 of the cover, as shown in Figure 3. A diagonal bracing'web 54 may be formed in the parts 51 and 53 and extends therebetween for mutual strengthening.

As shown in Figures 2 :and '7 the declining part 53 of the bracket arm 49 extends through the cover slot 45 and has its lower extremity positioned within the upper part of the cover ll above the rod in. such forward extremity being shown as forming a transverse journal 55 for a horizontal transverse pivot pin 56 which extends through the side portions of the flange 43 of the cover 4|, the outer ends of the pin 56 being preferably riveted against the outer sides of the cover, as indicated at 51. By this arrangement the cover 44 and mounting arm are articulated relative to each other to enable and facilitate installation on automobiles of varying structures.

The pivot pin 5.6 also constitutes the principal mounting for the rod guide and ratchet pawl carrier-frame 4.0 which preferably consists of a onepiece stamping of sheet metal formed to provide an elongated trough shaped pull rod guide portion ts having a longitudinally elongated .upwardly opening slot 59 (Figures '7 and 3) and laterally spaced upstanding parallel ratchet pawl carrying wings 5t rising from the side edges of the slot 59. The opposite ends of the slot 5.9 ter minate short of the corresponding ends OI the tubular portion 58 to define forwardand rearward cylindrical end portions 6| and 52, respectively. The underpart of the rearward cylindrical end portion 62 is formed with a longitudinal slot 63 opening through its rearward end and accommodating a guide key 64 extending forwardly from the cover member ll {Figure 7).. Rear end portiont}! enters the annular seat surrounding opening 15 in cover member 4'! and reinforces such Seat adjacent its place of contact 'by handle 11.

As indicated in dotted lines in Figure Y, the side walls of the rod guide portion .58 are vertically slotted at the opposite ends of the wings 5'0, as indicated at 55 and .65, and the wings "60 and adjacent portions .61 are laterally displaced; as shown in Figure .8, beyond the sides of theQrod guide portion 58. On the rearward en s 9? the wings 58 are cars 68 which extend rearwardly from and above the upper rear corners of the wings 6i! and are formed with holes .receiving'the pivot pin 56 whereby the frame .50 is pivotally mounted on the mounting .arm 49 through the sarne pivot spin as the cover TAIL. The ears 68 are spaced from the side portions of the cover flange 43 from which they are separated by spacers v568 Figune 3-) and en a e theends 0f the j rnal '55 onthe-mountingarmfdfi.

The wings til are formed with pairs of "long tudinally spaced holes 59 throu h which are journalled the related end portions of -ratchet pawl pivot pins .16 which extend between the wings and have heads H on their outer ends bearing against the outer sides of the wings,.as shown in Figure .8 of the drawings. Journalled on the ,pins l0 between the wings 6D aresimilar one-piece ratchet pawls ".12, each .compris ing a flat rectangular plate 12' of a width slightly less than the distance between the wings 6B. The plate i2 has stamped or embossedportionsgproviding .ltwo laterally spaced semi-.bylindricaljjournal portions 13 projecting above the plate 12 and a single semi-cylindrical journal portion 14 projecting below the plate '12 and positioned b tween and combinin with the portions 13, to form a journal for the pin 10. The spacing of the pivot pins 10 from each other along the wings 60 and the size of the plates 12' can be readily varied to increase or decrease the tooth interference with respect to the ratchet teeth 15 on the operating rod 1 0.

The upper portion of one side edge of each ratchet pawl 12 is cut away, as indicated at 15, to provide on that side of the plate 12 a space for a positioning spring which has a helical portion 16 circumposed on the pin 10 and extensions 11 and 18 on opposite ends of such helical portion 16. The extension 11 has a lateral arm 19 adapted to be engaged in a notch 80 formed in the up portion of the operating rod ill or with its ratchet teeth IS. The leverage eiiective to maintain the lower edges 82 of ratchet pawls 12 depressed may be readily varied, as by locating journal portions 13 and 14 at different distances above lower edges 82.

It will be evident from the foregoing that with the operating rod 10 in the the ratchet teeth IS in the uppermost position shown. This results in engaging ratchet teeth I 5 with the effective lower edges 82 of the ratchet pawls, so that upon release of the handle II the rod 10 will be maintained by the ratchet pawls in brake applying position.

To release the brakes from applied condition, the handle II is rotated so as to rotate the rod l and disengage the ratchet teeth from the ratchet pawls through brake lever 19 will move the rod I0 forwardly to brake releasing position, unless a rearward pull is maintained by the operator on the handle H. As soon as the brake handle is released by the operator, torque spring 33 will return the pull rod to the position shown, with its ratchet teeth I5 again in uppermost position, so that the brakes may be applied at will by again pulling handle II and the attached pull rod rearwardly.

While the illustrated embodiments are believed to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages herein stated, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be made within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claim.

Having described my invention, I claim:

In a straight pull brake lever assembly, a pivotally mounted brake lever having a free end, a generally longitudinally movable pull rod having an end portion located in the region of said free end of the brake lever, the said end porfree end of said brake lever being received between and pivotally connected to said flanges, the doubled portion of said bracket being formed cylindrically and receiving the said end of said pull rod, the intermediate portion of the doubled cylindrically formed portion of said bracket having an enlarged opening thereat providing cylindrical journal portions spaced axially of said pull rod, the side of one ournal confronting the other circumferentially extending recess providing circumferentially spaced abutment surfaces at its ends, an abutment on said rod located in said recess, stop means on said rod engageable with said bracket and normally pregaging said abutment to exert torque tending to maintain said abutment in engagement with one abutment surface of said recess.

CHARLES R. DUNCAN. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 416,331 Githens Dec. 3, 1889 1,767,593 Laabs June 24, 1930 2,098,439 Stuber Nov. 9, 1937 2,304,356 Heller Dec. 8, 1942 2,305,225 Skareen Dec. 15, 1942 2,309,636 Fergueson Feb. 2, 1943 2,329,722 Jandus Sept. 21, 1943 2,377,691 Jandus June 5, 1945 2,522,540 Sandberg Sept. 19, 1950 2,543,509 Sandberg Feb. 27, 1951 2,543,510 Sandberg Feb. 27, 1951 2,606,458 Sandberg Aug. 12, 1952 

